Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALFASXO’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALFASXO’, particularly characterized by having white, flecked flowers with yellow-white spotted lips, a recurving curvature of the longitudinal axis of the petal, a concave flower shape in lateral view, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALFASXO’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALFASXO’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with numerous attractive large white, flecked flowers with yellow-white spotted lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALFASXO’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in September 2007 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-2156’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-2146’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in September 2010. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2014 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Apr. 24, 2018, by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALFASXO’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALFASXO’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALFASXO’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) White, flecked flowers with yellow-white spotted lips;     -   2) Recurving curvature of the longitudinal axis of the petal;         and     -   3) Concave flower shape in lateral view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-old plants in January 2020. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of ‘PHALFASXO’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALFASXO’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALFASXO’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALFASXO’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in January 2020 on flowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALFASXO’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-2156’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-2146’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (between RHS 190B and 190C)             colored roots with branching lateral roots having             yellow-green (RHS 145A) colored root tips with a hint of red             (RHS 182B). -   Plant:     -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual             propagation (in vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24             weeks. After transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are             finished after 48 to 50 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent             with raceme inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 50.0 cm to 55.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 28.0 cm to 30.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 7 to 8 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 13.0 cm             to 16.0 cm. Width: 6.5 cm to 7.5 cm. Position of the             broadest part of the leaf: In the middle. Shape: Oblong.             Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Unequal obtuse. Leaf             blade angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal             position): Between 15 degrees and 30 degrees. Leaf margin:             Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS             146B with a hint of brown (RHS N199B) toward the margin.             Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness:             2.1 mm to 2.6 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern:             Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 146A.             Lower surface: RHS 146B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—7 to 10.         -   Length.—50.0 cm to 55.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—4.5 mm to 5.0 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Mix of brown (RHS N199B) and yellow-green (RHS 146B).         -   Internode length.—4.0 cm to 5.0 cm. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, raceme             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip).—170.0 mm to             190.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11             months after planting in a 12-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 85.0 mm to 90.0 mm. Diameter: 92.0 mm to             97.0 mm. Depth of lip: 22.0 mm to 24.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 9 to 13 weeks.         -   Flower shape.—Concave.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Large. Length: 28.0 mm to 30.0 mm.             Width: 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color:             Yellow-green (RHS 150C) flecked (RHS N77A).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular             asymmetric. Apex: Rounded. Margin: Undulated. Length (from             base to tip): 46.0 mm to 48.0 mm. Width: 59.0 mm to 61.0 mm.             Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward the base.             Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White             (RHS NN155C). Over color: Dark red-purple flecks (RHS 187B             and toward the edge become lighter N79C). Lower surface:             Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Diluting flecks             (in the middle RHS N79B and toward edge become lighter RHS             N77B). Number of spots and stripes on the petals (upper             surface): Few flecks. Color of spots and stripes on the             petals (upper surface): RHS 187B and toward the edge become             lighter RHS N79C. Density of netting of the petals (upper             surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): None.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Obtuse to rounded             symmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 48.0             mm to 50.0 mm. Width: 33.0 mm to 35.0 mm. Position of the             broadest part of the dorsal sepals: In the middle. Color             (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS             NN155C). Over color: Dark red-purple flecks (RHS 187B and             toward the edge become lighter RHS N79C). Lower-surface:             Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Hint of light             yellow-green (RHS 145D) at the base and diluting flecks (RHS             N77A and toward edge become lighter RHS N77B). Number of             spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): Few             flecks. Color of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals             (upper surface): RHS N79C and, toward edge become lighter             RHS 187B. Density of netting of the dorsal sepals (upper             surface): None. Color of the netting: None.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 49.0 mm to             51.0 mm. Width: 28.0 mm to 30.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the lateral sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).             Over color: Dark red-purple flecks (RHS 187B and toward the             edge become lighter RHS N79C). Lower surface: Basic color:             White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Hint of light yellow-green             (RHS 145C) at the base; diluting purple flecks (RHS N77A)             and purplish-red midvein (RHS N77B) toward the tip. Number             of spots and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface):             Few flecks. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral sepals             (upper surface): RHS N79C and toward edge become lighter RHS             187B. Density of netting of the lateral sepals (upper             surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): None.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 20.0             mm to 22.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155C);             sometimes white (RHS NN155C) flecked (RHS N77B), depending             on the temperature during the growing period. Pubescence on             the lip: Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.             Margin: Entire. Length: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm. Width: 16.0 mm             to 18.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Red (RHS 183B) at the             base; yellow margin (RHS 7A) on one side and white (RHS             NN155C) toward the other margin. Lower surface: A touch of             red (RHS 184B) and light purple (RHS 76B) at the base;             yellow margin (RHS 7A) on one side and white (RHS NN155C)             toward the other margin. Number of spots and stripes on the             lateral lobe: None. Color of spots and stripes on the             lateral lobe: None. Density of netting of the lateral lobe:             None. Color of the netting: None.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 20.0             mm to 22.0 mm. Width: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm. Color: Upper             surface: Yellow (RHS 9A); red spotted (RHS 176A) at the             base; white (RHS NN155C) toward whiskers. Lower surface:             Purplish-red fleck (RHS N77B) at the base; yellow wings (RHS             7B) spotted (RHS 176B) and white (RHS NN155C) toward             whiskers. Number of spots and stripes on the apical lobe             (upper surface): Medium. Color of spots and stripes on the             apical lobe (upper surface): RHS 176A. Density of netting of             the apical lobe (upper surface): None. Color of the netting:             None.         -   Callus.—Average size: Medium. Height: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm.             Length: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Color:             Dark red (RHS 183A) on the front and at the top; white (RHS             NN155C) on other sides. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 9.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 6.0 mm to             7.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C); sometimes dark             purplish-red (RHS N79C) at the base and white (RHS NN155C)             toward the tip, depending on the temperature during the             growing period.         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. Color:             Orange (RHS 25A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 13.0 mm to 15.0 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm to 3.0             mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 41.0 mm to 43.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm to             4.0 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Dark purple (RHS N77A to             N77B) at the base; light yellow-green (RHS 145C) and light             purple (RHS 76C) toward the flower. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

The female parent plant of ‘PHALFASXO’, cultivar ‘01-2156’ (unpatented), is no longer in existence, therefore a meaningful comparison cannot be made.

The male parent plant of ‘PHALFASXO’, cultivar ‘01-2146’ (unpatented), is no longer in existence, therefore a meaningful comparison cannot be made.

‘PHALFASXO’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALDUZAH’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,830) and ‘PHALFUNEL’ (unpatented). ‘PHALFASXO’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALDUZAH’ in that ‘PHALFASXO’ has white whiskers, whereas ‘PHALDUZAH’ has purple whiskers with yellow tips. Additionally, ‘PHALFASXO’ has larger flowers than ‘PHALDUZAH’.

‘PHALFASXO’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFUNEL’ in that ‘PHALFASXO’ has strong curvature of the lateral lobe and white whiskers, whereas ‘PHALFUNEL’ has medium curvature of the lateral lobe and white whiskers with yellow tips. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALFASXO’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 